Guide
What actually goes into your total Maldives price
Taxes, green tax, service charge, and meal plans catch first-time visitors off guard because they're often not shown until checkout. Here's every line item explained, and a worked example of what a real total looks like.
Worked example
A real total price, broken down
5 nights, 2 adults, budget-luxury resort, half-board, speedboat transfer — illustrative figures.
Sample 5-night quote
Line by line
What each cost actually is
Green tax
A flat government environmental fee charged per person, per night — typically higher for resorts than guesthouses. It's mandatory and separate from the room rate.
Service charge
Usually around 10%, added by the resort or guesthouse itself. Not always negotiable, and rarely optional despite the name.
GST / tourism tax
A government tax on tourism goods and services, typically in the mid-teens percentage-wise, applied on top of the room rate.
Meal plan
Ranges from room-only to full all-inclusive. This is often the single biggest cost swing in your total — see the comparison below.
Meal plans
How much each tier typically adds
| Meal plan | What's included | Typical add-on, per person/night |
|---|---|---|
| Room only | No meals | $0 |
| Breakfast (BB) | Breakfast only | $15–$30 |
| Half board (HB) | Breakfast + dinner | $40–$70 |
| Full board (FB) | Breakfast + lunch + dinner | $65–$100 |
| All-inclusive (AI) | Meals, drinks, sometimes activities | $90–$160 |
Watch for these
What's often not included by default
Wi-Fi
Free at most resorts now, but still charged at some budget properties — we confirm this before booking.
Excursions
Diving, sandbank trips, and sunset cruises are almost always priced separately from your room rate.
Alcohol at guesthouses
Not available at all on local islands, by law — not a pricing issue, but a real difference from resort budgeting.
Single supplement
Solo travelers often pay a surcharge on double-occupancy room rates — we'll flag this upfront if it applies to your booking.
Common questions
Before you book
Almost always US dollars, even though the local currency is the Maldivian Rufiyaa. We quote in USD to keep things simple and comparable.
Policies vary by property and often exempt young children below a certain age — we confirm the exact policy for your specific booking.
Rarely — it's typically a fixed percentage set by the property itself, not something we or you can adjust.
Yes, for everything included in the quote. Anything you add on-island — extra excursions, spa treatments, room service — is billed separately, and we tell you that clearly before you book.
Next step
Get a real, all-in total for your dates — no guessing required
No pressure, no obligation — just a clear, honest breakdown.